Man Leaving Easter Service Murdered by Son: Police

An Easter church service in Ohio turned tragic yesterday when a man was gunned down—by his own son, say police—while leaving the church with his wife. The associate pastor tells the Star Beacon that Reshad Riddle approached Richard Riddle, 52, and killed him with a single shot, then entered Ashtabula's Hiawatha Church yelling that this was "the will of Allah" and "the will of God." About 150 parishioners were leaving the church at the time; they shoved screaming children underneath pews.

Police officers arrived moments later and were able to easily subdue Reshad Riddle. "We have no motive confirmed with family members," says the police chief. "There is no indication that the father and son had a bad relationship. Everyone thinks this was very surprising." The 25-year-old has basically cooperated with authorities, reports the Star Beacon, but it recounts a checkered past: a 2006 arrest in which he was charged with assault, kidnapping, and abduction; assault charges in 2007; and drug charges in 2009. In one of those incidents he allegedly tried to cut his girlfriend's throat. (More fatal shooting stories.)